- By Iram Hussain
- Sun, 19 Jan 2025 05:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In today’s fast-paced world, both angina and anxiety are becoming increasingly prevalent health concerns, often leaving individuals confused about the root cause of their symptoms. While angina is a warning sign of heart-related issues, anxiety stems from emotional and mental stress yet both conditions can present with similar symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath and palpitations. Misinterpreting one for the other can delay appropriate treatment and worsen the underlying condition.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Saurabh Juneja, Director and Head of CTVS, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre explained the difference between angina and anxiety.
What does Angina feel like?
The discomfort caused by Angina is often described as chest pain or pressure, a sensation of squeezing or tightness in the chest. Angina is usually caused by the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart due to fatty deposits around their walls. Also, epigastric pain after meals, often confused with acidity, is called postprandial angina
A few common symptoms of angina are-
- The chest pain is sharper than that of an anxiety attack
- Fast heart rhythm, that may feel unstable
- It may cause nausea or vomiting
- Angina can cause pain to occur in a restricted part of the chest, but sometimes it can radiate to other parts like the jaw, neck back, etc.
The risk of Angina can be increased by factors like an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, increasing age, smoking and a family history of heart conditions.
How is the feeling of an Anxiety attack?
A common symptom of anxiety is chest pain. In anxiety, there is a stress trigger present and can induce physical symptoms as well. One may feel sweaty and have feelings of dizziness. The body experiences a fight-or-flight response. This means that the body urges to escape or freeze on the spot.
Some common symptoms of an anxiety attack are-
- Profuse sweating
- Heart Palpitations
- Shortness of breath and nausea
- The feeling of choking, losing control of the body
Anxiety attacks can last longer in response to a stressful event. It can be helped by recognizing and acknowledging the anxiety attack can help to reduce nervousness through relaxation techniques.
Differences Between Angina And Anxiety
- Pain caused by Angina can be stated as a dull discomforting pain, while anxiety instills a sharp sudden pain.
- The hyperventilation caused by anxiety is more centralized near the heart. Sometimes, the pain in Angina can radiate to the upper body
- Angina can occur at any random time. Anxiety is usually followed after a traumatic or emotional event.
Both angina and anxiety can be overwhelming but understanding their differences is key to managing your health effectively. Early intervention plays a critical role if you’re uncertain about your symptoms, consult a doctor immediately to rule out heart-related issues.